Cervical collar with means for varying the height and shape thereof



H. E. BARNETT CERVICAL COLLAR WITH MEANS F0 R VARYING THE D May 19,197.0

HEIGHT AND SHAPE THEREOF 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 27, 196'? INVENTORHARRY E. BARNETT ATTO R N EY vH'. CERVICAL COLLAR WITH MEANS FOR VARYINGTHE May 19, 1970 E. BARNETT I HEIGHT AND SHAPE THEREOF Filed Feb. 27.196'? 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR FIG-9 HARRY E. BARNETT ATTORNEY UnitedStates Patent U.S.- Cl. 128-75 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Aflexible cervical collar having means for selectively adjusting theheight and/or shape of the same. The cervical collar includes means forconverting the same to a traction head halter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to cervicalcollars having means to adjust the height and shape thereof. Moreparticularly, the invention relates to flexible cervical collars of thetype described in'my US. 'Pat. No. 3,189,026 but which includes mean'sior readily adjusting the height and/or shape ofthe collar. 1: Thecervical collar described in my aforementioned patent comprised anelongated flexible body having a longitudinal slit therein to'provide"two separable medial portions. The cervicalcollar tapered in width froma maximum at substantially the middleiareato a -minimum at the endportions. When the cervical collar wasfloperatively positioned aroundthe neck .of the wearer, the separable" medial portions werejuxtapositioned, one on the other, and the-collar-end portionsoverlapped fora desired extent of overlap. .The end portions includedmeans to readily attach and detach the overlapped ends. Although myprior cervicalcollarwas a substantial improvement over the bulky, heavyand rigid type col: lars previously used, it nevertheless had severallimitations whichprecluded the same collar from providing elfectiveandoptimum therapeutic relief and comfort independent of the patientsneck length,-neck contour and chin contour. For instance, although'thetapering of the width of the collar afforded some height adjustment,When positioning the collar aroundtheneck of the wearer, there was noprovision to selectively or-incrementally decrease .or increase thewidth and .shape of the collar, Thus, there was not means to precisely-fit the same around the-neck of the individual patient. Hence, for thepatient having a greater than average neck length or an irregular neckcontour, a specialor custom fitted cervical collar was required-in orderto achieve optimum comfort and support. I

Still another limitation of this prior cervical collar was thedifliculty frequently encounted to maintain the collar comfortably andsecurely positioned around the neck without the collar slipping out ofplace .due to normal ,bodyor head movements. This was particularly .aproblem for the patient having a receding chin, irregular chin contouror insuflicient protruding-bone structure. to-ade- .quately support thecollar.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore a primary object of thisinvention to afford a flexible cervical collar having means whereby thelength and shape thereof may be selectively adjusted, thereby providinga universally adaptable cervical collar.

It is another object to provide a flexible cervical collar having anadjustment means to incrementally vary the height and/or shape of thecollar for precisely accommodating the same to the particular necklength and/ or the contour of the neck or chin of the patient.

It is a related object to provide a cervical collar having an adjustmentmeans which may be varied both in a horizontal direction and a verticaldirection in order to precisely fit the collar around the neck of thewearer.

It is still another object to provide an adjustment means for a cervicalcollar having separable medial portions with the capability of adjustingthe height at a predetermined area of the collar to a value lessthan thecombined heights of the individual separable portions.

It is a primary feature of this invention to aiford an adjustment meansfor a cervical collar having separable medial portions, said adjustmentmeans comprising a flexible tab which extends outward from one medialportion for releasable and secure attachment within a predetermined areaon the other medial portion; thereby providing selective adjustment ofthe height and/or shape of the collar.

It is another feature to provide an adjustment means for a collar havingseparable medial portions, said ad justment means comprising a pair oftabs positioned adjacent each other but split apart and both extendingoutward from one medial portion to selectively vary the size and shapeof the collar.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For the purpose of facilitating anunderstanding of my invention, I have illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings a preferred embodiment thereof, from an inspection of which,when considered in connection with the following description, myinvention, its mode of construction, assembly and operation, and many ofits advantages should be readily understood and appreciated.

Referring to the drawings in which the same characters of reference areemployed to indicate corresponding or similar parts throughout thevarious figures of the drawings: 7

FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of the cervical collar embodying theprinciple of the invention and showing the same operatively positioned.around the neck of the wearer with the adjustment means located at thefront of the neck;

FIG. 2 is a pictorial view similar to FIG. 1, but showing the adjustmentmeans located at the back of the neck; FIG. 3 is an elevational planview of the cervical collar in a open and fully extended position;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the cervical collar similar to FIG. 2,but showing the reverse side therof;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on the plane of theline 55 in FIG. 3, and viewed in the direction indicated;

, FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on the plane ofthe line 66-in FIG. 3, and viewed in the direction indicated;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the collar in a partially closedposition and illustrating the tabs of the height and shape adjustmentmeans operatively in place;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary enlarged elevationalviewof the collar, showingthe tabs of the height and shape adjustment means so positioned as tomake one side of the collar higher than the other side; and

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 8 but illustrating the tabsof the height and'shape adjustment means operatively positioned to causethe bands of the collar to overlap at substantially the center of thecollar.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 'Referring now to the variousfigures of the drawings, the reference numeral indicates generally acervical collar device embodying the principles of the invention.Cervical collar 10 comprises a pair of elongated flexible bands orstrips 12 and 14 joined together at the ends to form end portions 20, 22(see FIGS. 2 and 3).

As shown in the drawings, a shape and height adjustment means indicatedgenerally by the reference character 23 is disposed on the cervicalcollar 10 in spaced relationship with the end portions 20, 22 thereof.As will be more fully disclosed hereafter, the adjustment means 23provides the cervical collar 10 with the capability to preciselyaccommodate the contours of the neck and chin and thereby optimize thecomfort and relief aiforded by the use of the cervical collar 10.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the outers edges 12' and 14 respectively ofbands 12 and 14 are tapered inwardly from the medial portions to theextreme ends thereof. Bands 12, 14 are shown identically shaped althoughit may be desirable to make one band slightly longer than the other toaccommodate the larger diameter at the base of the neck. For thiscondition, the longer band would normally be the lower band whenpositioning the collar around the neck.

Secured to one surface of end portion 22 is a plurality of slightlyspaced apart fastening strips 24 (FIG. 3). A plurality of cooperatingtransverse strips 26 (FIG. 4) is secured to end portion but at theopposite side of collar 10 in relation to the location of the fasteningstrips 24 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). The cooperating strips 26 are constructedto provide a secure and releasable attachment with fastening strips 24when brought in contact therewith at the desired length of overlap ofthe end portions 20, 22. Fastening strips 24 may be made of the materialknown as Velcro which includes a multiplicity of bristle-like grippingelements 27 (FIG. 3). The cooperating strips may be made of felt, Wool,or the like and are adapted to cooperate with the bristles 27 to providean extremely strong but readily detachable fastening means in a mannerwell known to those versed in the art.

The height and shape adjustment means 23 comprises a pair of tabs 28, 30which extend outwardly from the inside edge of band 12 for selectiveattachment to a patch 32 formed on band 14 adjacent the inner edgethereof.

A recess 40 (FIG. 3) on the outside surface of band 14 accommodatespatch 32, whereas the upper portions of tabs 28, 30 are connected toband 12 within recess 42 (FIG. 4) on the inside surface thereof. Thus,due to recesses 40, 42 attachment of the tabs to the patch may be madewithout any variation in the thickness of the collar.

The patch 32 may also be made of Velcro material having the multiplicityof gripping elements 27. To cooperate therewith, the attaching surfacesof tabs 28, 30 are made from felt, wool or the like. 'Ihus, tabs 28, 30make a secure but readily detachable connection with patch 32.

Tabs 28, 30 are preferably flexible in construction to enable even theslightest adjustment to be made with ease and precision. Tabs 28, 30, asshown, are adjacent each other but separated or split apart. Thus, bothtabs 28, 30 may be used individually or together for adjusting thecollar (see FIGS. 7, 8 and 9). Moreover, if one of the tabs 28, 30 issuflicient to determine the proper collar adjustment, the other tabcould serve as a brace or support to insure that the flexible bandsremain in the predetermined selected shape. This condition is shown inFIG. =8, wherein tab 30 determines the height adjustment 4 and tab 28provides the brace to maintain bands 12, 14 in place.

Tabs 28, 30 may be attached at any point Within patch 32. Thus, thevertical attachment position of the tabs may be varied incrementallywithin the extreme vertical levels of patch 32. (See FIGS. 8 and 9.)Also, the position of the attachment of the tabs may be variedincrementally throughout the horizontal length of patch 32 (see FIGS. 7and 8). Moreover, the tabs may be angularly attached to patch 32 asshown in FIG. 7. Thus, adjustment means 23 afford the collar adjustablecapability in the horizonal as well as the vertical direction.

It is to be particularly noted from FIGS. 3 and 4, that substantiallyone half of the attaching surface of tabs 28, 30 extends outward fromthe inner edge of band 12 whereas the other attaching half is withinrecess 42. Thus, as shown in FIG. 9, when any part of tabs 28, 30fastened within recess 42 is attached to patch 32, hand 12 and band 14overlap each other. In this manner, adjustment means 23 also has thecapability to decrease the height of the collar to a magnitude less thanthe combined height of the bands 12, 14.

Each of the bands 12 and 14 comprises a hollow tube 46 fitted around afiller material 48 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). The tube 46 may be made from anysuitable material which is light in weight, readily washable, durableand having some stretchability in all directions. Ideally suited is atextile fabric known as stockinette.

The filler material should be light in weight, extremely flexible,highly elastic and readily washable. A material found to have thesequalities and successfully used is flexible polyurethane foam plastic.

End portions 20, 22 of the collar 10 may be formed by stitching over theends of the bands 12 and 14. Stitching may also be used to fasten thetabs 28, 30 and the patch 32 respectively to the bands 12 and 14.

An eyelet or grommet 52 may be mounted adjacent the outer extremity ofeach of the end portions 20, 22. Thus, as described in my said Pat. No.3,189,026, the grommet 52 affords coupling means for accommodatingauxiliary traction apparatus when converting the cervical collar to atraction head halter.

It is also within the contemplation of the invention to afford acervical collar comprising a flexible single body having a longitudinalslit therein to provide two separable medial portions and an adjustmentmeans to vary the collar height and shape by varying the spacing betweenthe separable portions.

The operation of the cervical collar 10 may now be described withreference particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings. When thecorrective procedure requires extension of the neck (viz., flexing thecervical spine), the collar -10 is positioned as in FIG. 1. Initiallythe medial portions of the bands 12 and 14 are fitted into place in thefront of the neck and the end portions 20, 22 are overlapped at the backor nape of the neck. When the collar is comfortably positioned aroundthe neck, the end portions are pressed together whereby the Velcrofastening strips 24 and the cooperating strips 26 securely lock thecollar in place. The separable medial portions of bands 12, 14 arevaried from their normally contacting position to precisely fit thecollar of the contour of the neck and chin of the individual patient.After the optimum height and/or shape for the separable medial portionsare found, the tabs 28, 30 are pressed on patch 32, thus positioning themedial portions in place. In arriving at this optimum setting for themedial portions of the bands,

it may be necessary to disconnect end portions 20, 22 and vary theprevious setting for the extent of overlap.

When the corrective procedure requires flexing of the neck (viz.,extension of the cervical spine), a similar procedure is followed foroperatively positioning the collar 10 around the neck of the wearerexcept that the medial portions of bands 12, 14 are placed in the backof the neck as shown in FIG. 2, and the end portions 20, 22 areoverlapped at the front of the neck.

From the foregoing description and drawings, it should be apparent thata novel cervical collar has been provided which includes means foradjusting the height and shape thereof, thereby precisely fitting thecollar around the neck of the wearer. Moreover, the height and shapeadjustment means is capable of being varied both in a horizontal andvertical direction. Furthermore, the adjustment means may be set tocause the separable medial portions to overlap and thereby decrease theheight of the collar to a value less than the combined height of theindividual medial portions. Thus, it should be appreciated that acervical collar has been provided which may be easily and convenientlyadapted to the neck of the patient independent of the neck length andneck and chin contour.

It is believed that my invention, its mode of construction and assembly,and many of its advantages should be readily understood from theforegoing Without further description, and it should also be manifestthat While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown anddescribed for illustrative purposes, the structural details arenevertheless capable of wide variation within the purview of myinvention as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United Statesis:

1. A cervical collar for encircling the neck of the patient comprisingan elongated flexible band having its medial portions slit to affordmedial separable band portions for adjusting the width of the band andintegral end portions;

adjustment means comprising at least one tab extending outwardly fromthe inside edge of one medial band portion for releasable selectiveattachment to the other medial band portion, said adjustment meansincluding a patch on said other medial band portion, said tab and saidpatch including cooperating means to permit the secure and releasableattachment of said tab with the patch;

and a surface of one of said medial band portions includes a firstrecess and the opposite surface of the other medial band portionincludes a second recess, said tab being fastened within said firstrecess and said patch being attached inside said second recess, wherebyonly the medial band portions need be adjusted to change the height orshape of the entire cervical collar.

2. The cervical collar as claimed in claim 1, wherein said tab and saidpatch are operatively attachable together whereby parts of the medialportions of the bands overlap to provide a height dimension less thanthe combined height of the individual bands.

3. The cervical collar as claimed in claim 1, wherein said adjustmentmeans includes a second tab for selective attachment to said patch, eachof said tabs being capable of providing independent height and shapeadjustment of said collar.

4. The cervical collar as claimed in claim 3, wherein said tabs areadjacent each other and fastened at substantially the center area ofsaid one band and said patch being also fastened to said other band atsubstantially the center thereof.

5. The cervical collar as claimed in claim 1, wherein: coupling meansare associated with said end portions of the bands for accommodatingauxiliary traction apparatus, the cooperation of said separable medialportions and said coupling means affording means for converting saidcervical collar to a traction head halter.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,828,736 4/1958 Mon Fardinil2875 2,843,114 7/1958 Hall 12875 3,024,784 3/ 1962 Mon Fardini 128-753,135,256 6/1964 Gruber 128-75 3,189,026 6/1965 Barnett 128-75 L. W.TRAPP, Primary Examiner J. D. YASKO, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R.128-164

